Lingle L, Fiore TC, Gormley J, Flanigan TP; HIV Infection in Women Conference.
Program Abstr HIV Infect Women Conf HIV Infect Women Conf 1995 Wash DC. 1995 Feb 22-24; P69.
Brown University AIDS Program, Providence, RI.
Background: Despite the fact that over 30,000 North American women have been diagnosed with AIDS, HIV infection is often not considered within the context of the entire family. According to a recent study, 36% of HIV-positive women had another family member with HIV infection. 26% of these women had more than one other family member infected with HIV. Methods: An in-depth personal interview of four families with HIV infection in multiple members was undertaken in Rhode Island. At least two members from each family were interviewed. For each family a tree was drawn up to show the distribution of HIV infection, mode of transmission and caregiving among the family members. Issues of adaptation and coping with family difficulties were emphasized. Results: There was a mean of 4 HIV positive persons per family (range 3-5 members; total of 8 women and 7 men). At least one member of each family has died of AIDS. Intravenous drug use played a major role in transmission in 13-15 family members; in fact many family members used drugs together. Often a mother or a grandmother stepped forward to provide emotional and child care support for the extended family. Conclusions: Women are frequently primary caregivers in extended families with multiple HIV-positive members. They should be supported and involved in the development of plans of care for HIV-positive family members.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Caregivers
- Child
- Child Welfare
- Disease Transmission, Horizontal
- Family
- Family Health
- Family Nursing
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interpersonal Relations
- Male
- Rhode Island
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102214920
From Meeting Abstracts